Do I need to be a writer or musician?
Not at all. Curiosity, presence, and openness are all that is required.

What’s included in the tuition?
All retreat sessions and activities, morning meditations, guided excursions, daily tea and snacks, and welcome and farewell dinners.

What’s not included?
Travel, lodging, most meals, alcohol, and travel insurance.

Where will we stay?
Our retreat is anchored in a private Provençal villa with five guest rooms, a kitchen, and a quiet meditation space. Additional accommodations are available at Hôtel L’Arlatan (a beautiful boutique hotel nearby) or in a private apartment just a few minutes’ walk away. Kim, our retreat coordinator, will personally help each participant explore the available options and choose the setting that best fits their needs, preferences, and budget.

Can I share a Villa room?
By advance arrangement only; an additional fee applies for a second guest.

Can I arrange my own lodging?
Yes. You are welcome to stay at your own accommodation in Arles and simply join the retreat program.

Will there be free time?
Yes. The rhythm of the retreat balances guided sessions with spacious time for rest, reflection, and local exploration.

Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes. Participants may pay their balance in two installments: 50% by January 15, 2026, and the remainder by March 15, 2026.

Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance covering medical care, trip cancellation, and evacuation is strongly recommended for all participants.

Are there any physical requirements?
Arles is a walkable city with cobblestone streets and some uneven surfaces. Participants should be comfortable walking short distances and climbing stairs. Please let us know in advance if you have any mobility concerns and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Is there a minimum age to attend?
Yes, participants must be 18 years or older.

How many participants will there be?
To preserve intimacy and depth, the retreat is limited to a maximum of twelve participants.

Can I bring a partner or friend?
The retreat is designed for a small, focused group experience. To preserve the depth and cohesion of the circle, all attendees must be registered participants. If someone you know is interested in joining, we would be happy to welcome them through the regular registration process.

What if the retreat is cancelled?
If the retreat must be cancelled by the organizers, all payments, including deposits, will be fully refunded.

Who can I contact with questions?
You are warmly invited to reach out to hello@comingtooursensesretreat.com. Rosalind Brackenbury is happy to talk about the creative heart of the retreat, including the writing, themes, and flow of the sessions, while Kim Narenkivicius can guide you through accommodations, travel, and registration details.

Travel & Practicalities

Dates: May 16–23, 2026
Location: Arles, France

Arrival: Saturday, May 16 (check-in afternoon)
Departure: Sunday, May 24 (after breakfast)

Nearest Airports: Marseille (MRS), Montpellier (MPL), Paris (via Avignon TGV)

Train: Regional TER to Arles. Taxis are available from the station (10–15 minutes).

Meals:
Welcome dinner and farewell reception included. Breakfast provided for those staying at the villa. Other meals are at participants’ expense (a list of recommended cafés and restaurants will be provided).

Accommodations:
Participants may choose between:

• The villa (shared retreat home and gathering space)

• A private apartment (limited availability)

• Partner hotels or independent lodging nearby

Coming to Our Senses — Participant Agreement (Terms & Conditions)

Arles, France · May 16–23, 2026
A retreat for deep listening, mindful reconnection, and creative renewal

Purpose:
This agreement outlines the shared understanding between Coming to Our Senses and each participant joining the retreat. It is intended not as a legal formality, but as a gesture of mutual care, a clear container that supports safety, presence, and freedom of experience for everyone involved.

Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk

I understand that I am participating voluntarily in Coming to Our Senses (May 16–23, 2026, Arles, France) and that I am responsible for my own wellbeing and belongings throughout the retreat and related travel.

The retreat may include light physical activity such as walking, gentle movement, and excursions, and I agree to participate at my own discretion.

I release and hold harmless the organizers, facilitators, and hosts, including Coming to Our Senses Retreat, its affiliates, and staff, from any and all liability for injury, illness, accident, loss, damage, or expense that may arise before, during, or after the retreat, including those related to transportation, accommodation, or third-party services.

I understand that travel insurance covering medical care, trip cancellation, and emergency evacuation is highly encouraged to help protect against unexpected circumstances that may arise before or during travel.

I agree to act with care and respect toward all participants, facilitators, and spaces, and to honor the community agreements of kindness, confidentiality, and presence.

Community Agreements

Coming to Our Senses is a small, intentional retreat designed to nurture presence, creativity, and mutual respect. By joining, each participant helps create a field of trust and attentive listening where everyone can feel safe, seen, and supported.

We ask that all participants:

• Treat others with kindness, curiosity, and integrity.

• Listen deeply and speak from personal experience rather than judgment or advice.

• Communicate with care, especially when differences or strong emotions arise.

• Respect personal boundaries, physical, emotional, and energetic, for self and others.

• Maintain confidentiality: what is shared within the group circle stays within the group.

• Refrain from any behavior that could cause harm, including discrimination, harassment, or intimidation in any form.

• Bring awareness to how words, tone, and actions shape the shared atmosphere of the retreat.

The facilitators are committed to holding the circle with compassion, fairness, and discretion. If a situation arises that compromises the safety or wellbeing of the group, the team may intervene with care to restore harmony, including, if necessary, asking a participant to take space from the group.

This agreement is not about enforcing rules but about cultivating a shared culture of mindfulness, inclusion, and respect. We come together in the spirit of mutual care, knowing that every voice, silence, and gesture contributes to the harmony of the week.

Media & Privacy

We may document parts of the retreat through photography for our collective memories and for use in future materials that reflect the spirit of Coming to Our Senses. Participation in photos is always optional.

Please be mindful when photographing others and always ask permission before taking or sharing any image that includes another participant. Some moments are meant only for memory.

Recordings of group sessions are not permitted without explicit consent from all involved.

Policies

Deposit & Payments
€500 deposit secures your space (non-refundable; full refund only if the retreat is cancelled).
50% tuition due by January 15, 2026.
Balance due by March 15, 2026.
Transfers allowed until April 15, 2026 (€150 admin fee).

Refunds
Refunds available (minus €100) until January 15, 2026.
50% refundable until March 14, 2026.
No refunds after March 15, 2026.
Villa lodging follows the same policy; hotel lodging follows its own terms.

Health & Safety
Participants are responsible for their health, safety, and belongings. Please inform the organizers of any mobility or medical concerns that may affect participation.

Respectful Environment
We hold a shared commitment to kindness, inclusion, and self-awareness. No illegal substances or disruptive behavior will be tolerated. Confidentiality, quiet hours (22:00–07:00), and mutual respect help create the contemplative space that defines this retreat.

A Closing Note

This agreement is an invitation to shared responsibility and awareness, a way to ensure that our time together unfolds with grace, safety, and ease. You are entering a space where you will be cared for, supported, and gently encouraged to listen deeply to yourself, to others, and to the living world around you.

Our Team at Coming to Our Senses Retreat

Nadine Pinede, Retreat Founder & Facilitator
Rosalind Brackenbury, Retreat Facilitator
David Rothenberg, Retreat Facilitator
Kim Narenkivicius, Retreat Coordinator
Charlotte Sophia, Villa Host & Meditation Guide